UPDATE
Mitch Starc will be in a race against time to play against India in February after injuring his finger on Boxing Day.
Starc didn’t dislocate his middle finger but does have tendon damage, with News Corp’s Peter Lalor telling SEN Test Cricket that Starc was clearly affected when bowling in the nets.
He suggests Starc’s injury has been given a recovery time of six weeks. Australia lines up to play India in the first Test on February 9, meaning the left-arm quick could be touch and go for that game.
“He’ll play this Test in great discomfort (if required), but it’s at least six weeks recovery. I believe it’s tendon damage to the middle finger, bowling finger,”
“There was no talk of operation, I hope there isn’t a need for that.
“Disappointing for him not to play the Sydney Test, there was always a possibility that he wouldn’t play it anyway, that they’d give him a break, but you don’t like to miss your home Test, do you.
“Watching him bowling in the nets this morning, he looked in great discomfort. He really hurt.
“It’s the finger that guides the ball which is so important for that seam position which Starc has really nailed over the past few years.”
NOW | @plalor on Mitch Starc.
— SEN Cricket (@SEN_Cricket) December 27, 2022
"He'll play this Test in great discomfort, but it's at least six weeks recovery. I believe it's tendon damage to that middle finger, that bowling finger."
EARLIER
Mitch Starc won’t play in the third Test against South Africa in Sydney in the new year with tendon damage to his finger, reports News Corp’s Ben Horne.
The left-armer took two wickets on Boxing Day but sustained a finger injury while diving for a catch off Nathan Lyon's bowling towards the end of the day.
BREAKING 🚨
— Herald Sun Sport (@heraldsunsport) December 26, 2022
Mitchell Starc has been ruled out of the SCG Test, reports @BenHorne8.
DETAILS: https://t.co/2TkjbqGt4d pic.twitter.com/a3AgALJNQn
It’s understood Starc did not dislocate his finger but has sustained tendon damage.
It’s now reported that Starc could still bowl at the MCG, but only if required to do so. He’ll then miss his home Test at the SCG and will hope to give the injury time to heal before the tour of India in February.
Josh Hazlewood was underdone for the Boxing Day Test after a side strain but could return for the Sydney Test in place of Starc.
The Sydney Test starts on January 4, while the first Test between Australia and India is slotted for February 9 in Nagpur.